Signal device



T. H. S. CONE.

SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. ma.

1,434,096. Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

IN VE N TOR A T TOENE X Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS H. S. CONE, OF BOUNDBROOK, NEW JERSEY.

SIGNAL Application filed May 5,

To ll whom it may concern Be it known that l, THOMAS H. S. CONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boundbrook, county of Somerset, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices comprising a frangible element the breaking of which will cause or permit the actuatlon of signalling means, so that, when there is any reason for giving a signal or alarm, the frangible element may be broken, and a signalling device will thereupon be automatically actuated as, for example, to open or close contacts or to release a normally wound clock work.

An important object of this invention is to provide means for effectively testing the responsiveness of such signalling means to breakage of the frangible element, wlthout actually breaking such clement.

Other objects are to simplify such de vices and to decrease their cost to manufacture.

Still other objects are in part obvious and in part specifically set forth in the following specification and pointed out in the claims.

In constructing this invention, a movable part is provided which is adapted to suitably control. a signal mechanism, said part having a tendency to assume a predetermined operative position, a frangible element is so applied to said part that it may be moved to cause said. part to assume a different operative position, controlling mechanism is provided which may be manually adjusted either to move said frangible element to cause said part to assume said different position or to permit movement of said Fran is member to allow said part to assume said predetermined position.

An important feature of this invention consists in providing a chamber through which the frangible element extends, and in which a sufficient portion 'of said element is exposed to permit fracture thereof for the purpose of permitting said movable part to assume its afmresakl predetermined position, the ends of said member extending through suitable openings in and beyond the side walls of said chamber for engagement with said movable part and said con trolling mechanism, respectively. The mov- DEVICE.

1919. Serial No. 294:,897.

able part and the controlling mechanism are situated exterior of the chamber and at such. relative distances from opposite walls thereof that agreater portion of said ele ment can extend outside of said chamber toward said controlling mechanism when said mechanism is in its second named position than the portion of said member which may at any time extend outside of said chamber toward said movable part; to the end that s ch a frangible element cannot be placed in position between part and said mechanism, or removed therefrom, without breaking said element, unless said controlling mechanism is in its second named position.

Other features of construction forming part of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawing, are hereinafter described and are more fully pointed out in the claims; but this invention is not limited to the form shown in said drawing and hereinafter described, as parts may be changed, added or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention, and various features thereof are adapted for independent use, either singly or in combination with each other.

In the accompanying. drawing:

Figure l is a front elevation of the upper portion of the case of a device embodying this invention, a portion ofthe mechanism mounted upon the inner side of said case being indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View along the line 2.2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 shows a key to be hereinafter more particularly referred. to.

The automatic signal initiating device 21 and the contacts 22 carried thereby are shown in Fig. 2 to typically represent signaling mechanism to be controlled or actuated in accordance with this invention. the sheet. ietal cover 2S'being provided for suitably inclosing said mechanism.

The plunger 24 slides freely in a channel. formed between the guide plate 25 and the inner side of the front panel 26 of the cover 23. A lug 27 carried by the plunger 24 extends through a slot 28 in the plate 25. Said lug is so situated that the contacts 22 lie in the path of the travel thereof within the limits established by the slot 28, the insulating spacer 29 being carried by said lug to engage and suitably operate said contacts.

For the purpose of enabling said plunger 24 to be conveniently and inexpensively produced, said plunger and the lug 27 carried thereby are formed from a single piece of sheet-metal, the ends of said plunger being inclined at right-angles to the remainder thereof, said ends conforming to the outline of the cross section of the channel formed by the guide plate 25, as is more clearly indicated by Fig. 3.

A spring 30 is contained in one end of the channel formed by the plate 25, said spring being so applied to the plunger as to pro vide means urging movement of said plunger to carry the lug 27 into opera-sing engagement with the contacts 22.-

From the foregoing it Will be seen that the spring 30 and the plunger 2 are provided for the actuation of the typical signaling contacts 22, and it will furthermore be seen that similar parts would be suited for correspondingly acting upon other forms of signaling devices; such parts will therefore be hereinafter collectively referred to as a movable part adapted to suitably control signaling mechanism and having constantly applied thereto a tendency to move in one direction.

The walls of chamber 31 project through and rearwardly from an opening in the panel 26, said chamber being so located that a wall thereof extends across the end of the chain nel formed by the guide plate 25, andsuitable openings are provided through the opposite walls of said chamber for receiving a desired frangible element, such as the glass rod 32.

The chamber 31 may be formed by suitably stamping or drawing the sheet-metal of the front panel 26, but it has been found. to be more economical and, convenient to form said chamber of a separate piece of sheet-metal, providing outwardly flaring edges to form a flange covering the joint between the walls of said chamber and the adj acent edges of the opening in the panel 26, said flange also providing convenient means for use in securing said chamber to the face of the panel 26.

The size of the chamber is such as to afford ample room for effectively fracturing any frangible member 32 mounted the: by means of the associated hammer Controlling mechanism provided for the frangible member, comprising a sheetmetal cam ljiaving upset edges as shown by Fi )L, 2; said cam being pivoted upon. the rivet ii), and having openings 36 53 5 therein adjacent to said rivet.

The rivet 35 is secured to the bridge 37, and a projecting end 38 of said rivet serves as a guard pin for the openings 36, 86.

A. key hole 39 is provided through the front panel 26, permitting insertion, therethrough of a key such as that shown in Fig. 4;, said key being provided with the prongs 4:0 4L0 for engaging the openings 36, 36 provided in the cam 34; and a recess 41 is provided in the end of said. key (as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4) for re ceiving the end 38 of the rivet 35, that said key may be employed for the purpose of rotating said cam around the axis provided therefor by the rivet Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the portion of the periphery of the earn 34; which. is shown in engagement with the end of the glass rod 32 is of less radius than the portions of said periphery at either side thereof, thus providing a notch e9, for re ceiving the end of such a rod, said notch being of such depth that when one end of a suitable frangible element is pressed therein by the spring 30, acting through the plunger 2% against the other end of said element the friction between the notch l2 and the end of the element in engagement therewith will be such as to render it extremely dillicult to rotate the cam 3-1 by means of any implement inserted through the key hole 39 other than an intended key, such as that shown in Fig. 4c.

Suit-able frangible elements, such as the glass rod 32, should be of such length that, when an end of such an element is e11 'aged by the notch 42 of the cam 3st, the other end of such element will hold the plunger 2 L against the stress of the spring so that the lug 27 will be out of operative engagement with the contacts 22, and so that when the plunger 24: is moved by means of such an element against the stress of the spring 80, the movement of said plunger will be arrested by engagement of the lug 27 with an end of. the slot 28 before such element has been so mover. as to bring the end thereof farthest from the plunger 24; within the chan'iber 31.

The cam 34 is so formed that when said cam is turned a suitable distance on its axis from the position in which it is shown in Fig. L the nearest portion of the periphery of said cam to the adjacent opening in the wall of chamber &1 will be such distance therefrom that when an end of a suit able frangible element ao'ai that portion of sair i. i end of such element will be .ithin the chamber ill The frangible member can be or rinally put in position, or can be replaced after fail ure thereof, by inserting a he (such as that. shown in 41;) through the keyhole 39 and thereby turning the earn 254- until a portion thereof of minimum diameter is disposed in alignment with the openings through the walls of the chamber 81. lVhile the cam 3% is positioned as just described, an end of a frangible element, such as the rod 32, should be inserted through the one of the openings in. the walls of the chamber 31 which is situated nearest lo said cam, and such rod should thereupon be moved through said opening until such end thereof is brought into engagement with said cam. The other end of said rod should then be swung within the chamber 31 an d introduced into the opening through the wall of said chamber which is situated nearest to the plunger 24, and said rod should thereupon be moved to the left (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2) so as to move said plunger to its normal position and thereby operatively disengage the insulating spacer 29 from the contacts 22. WVhen the parts have been positioned as just described, the canti 3st should be rotated so that the notch 42 therein will be disposed in the path of the free end of the rod said rod should thereupon be permitted to move in response to the spring .30, acting through the plunger 24, so that the end of said rod will enter said notch. The key should thereupon be withdrawn.

The operation of the device shown in the accompanying drawing is as follows:

Under normal conditions the various parts are positioned as shown, the rod 32 and the plunger 24 being held by the cam. 34L against the tension of the spring 30, thereby with drawing the insulating spacer 29 from on gagement with the contacts 22.

It now the glass rod is broken as by the use of the hammer 33, the spring 30 will move the plunger 24 and lug 27 to carry the insulating spacer 29 into operative engagement with the contacts 22.

After the glass rod 32 has been thus broken, the parts may be restored to their normal positions by inserting a key (such as that shown in Fig. 4) through the key hole 39; turning the cam 34 by means of such key until the notch 42 has been. swung the necessary distance out of line with the openings through the walls of the chamber 31, thereupon an end of another frangible element, such as rod 32, should be inserted through the one of said openings nearest to the cam 34, being: moved through said opening toward said cam until the other end of such element enters the chamber or. wl' eijeupon said other end thereof should be in serted through the opening nearest the plunger 24 and so pr sed against said plunger as to restore said plunger to its normal position. and thereby operatively disengage the insulating spacer 29 from the contacts 22. the i'iotch being; then swung; into the path of the adjacent end of such element to hold the various parts in the position described.

lVhenever it is desired to test the operability of this device in response to the breaking of the frangible element,a suitable key should be inserted through the key hole such element within the chaml er 3].

operatve engagement with the contacts it is obvious that. if all parts are in proper working condition, the resulting op cration of this device will be similar to that in K051201150 to the breaking of a frangible member mounted therein, but if of the parts in such condition as would prevent or impair the intended responsive action. to such breakage of a frangible element therein, such fact will be clearly disclosed by this test.

It is evident that the frangible element cannot be removed. from the openings in chamber 81 without the use of a suitable hey unless said element is first broken, as the engagement of the lug 2'? with the end of the slot 28 toward the spring 30 prevents such movement of theplunger 24 away from the chamber 31 as would enable said element to be moved far enough in the direction of the plunger 24% to bring the end thereof rthest from said plunger within the cha1nbe)? 31.

For like reasons it is evident that such an. element cannot be plaied in position without the use of such a l v as the normal position of the c m will not permit such an ole-- ment to iiter the opening adjacent to said cam far enough to bring the other end of and the permitted moi want of the insufficient to permit such an elemen to be moved for enough. in the direction of said plunger, when an end thereof is inserted through the opening adjacent to said plunger, to bring the other end of such element within the chamber 31.

l Vhat I claim and desire to secure by Lettors Patent l the United vStates is:

'l. A movable part adapted to suitably control signal mechanism: means urging said. part in one direction; a stationary support adapted to maintain a suitable frangible member in operative relation to saio part and tliirough which, such a member may bodib more to actuate said part in the op posits direction: and means adapted to more such a member i permit ovement therev urging means.

2. A movable part adapted to suitably control signaling mechanism. urea-ins urging said part in one direction, a lrrmgible menu her. :1. st: iionary support adapted to :naint in said member in o ieratire relation to l'iwl'dl part and through which said member may bodily more to actuate said part in the opposite direction, and means adapted to said member in opprsition to or to permit movement thereof in response to said urging when imparted thereto by said part.

in res vonse to 3, A. frangible member; 1

suitably control a signaling rs said part engaging said Iiliillllilfil and urg e movement thereof in one lire-churn, 7 porting structure tl'u'ough which said member may bodily more in l'QS Li lSQ urging and controlling mechanism ham 0 means adapted to be manually cpl-rated so that when in one position said n'iembcr will be permitted to move in response to such urging and so that when said means is in another position said membewill not be permitted. to so move.

4-. it supporting s 'ucture havinn a cha nber extending rearward thercri'om and. open toward the front sur f ce thereo onenings through side walls of said a movable part adapted to stutably conz a signaling mechanism said part being; mounted adjacent to one of said openings means for moving said part in one direction a frangible member loosely supported in said openings for moving said part in t e opposite direction and controlling m hanism manually operable to variably pOSlL-lOl'l said member.

5. As an article of manufacture :a sup porting structure having a chamber extending rearwardly therefrom'and open toward the front surface thereof openings being provided in the side walls of said chamber adapted to receive a suitable frangibl mem her to freely slide therethrough and a channel being formed in said structure adjacent to one of and in alinement with said openings; a plunger contained in said channel; a lug carried by said plunger and extending through a slot in wall of said channel so as to suitably limit the travel of said plunger, said lug being so formed and arranged as to be adapted to suitably control ignaling; mechanism; means yielding-1y ur plunger toward said chamber; and controlling mechanism adapted to variably posi tion any suitable frangible member supported in the aforesaid openings through the chamber walls.

6. A supporting structure having a chamber extending rearwardly therefrom and open toward. the front surface thereof openinns being provided in the side walls of said chamber through which a suitable frangible member freely slide and a chaimel. being formed in said structure adjacent to one of and in alinement with said one s a plunger contained in said channel; a lug" carried by said ilunger and extending; through a slot cominijuucating with said channel so lo suitably limit the travel of said plunger said lug being so formed and arranged as to be adapted to suitably control a signaling}; mechanism; means yieldlngly urging said plunger toward said chamber; a frangible member in the charm ber Wall openings; and controlling mechlaminae i in manually operable to ariably posii.on 5;. id frangible member with relation to plung I. it supporting structure having a chamc extending rcarwardly therefrom and ooen toward the front surface thereof; a movable part adapted to suitably control sig'nalingmechanism and mounted adjacent to :1 wall of said chamber; controlling mechanism mounted adjacent to the opposite wall of said chamber; openings through the walls of said chamber in suitable relation to said movable part and said controlling mechanism respectively; stopping means for limiting; the movemenz, of said part away from the opening in the chamber wall adjacent thereto; said controlling mechanism comprising a member adapted to be so set that the nearest portion thereof to the opening through the wall of the chamber adjacent thereto ill be separated from said wall by a distance greater than the maximum distance to which said part may be moved away from the chamber wall adjacent thereto.

8. A. panel having a suitable aperture there-through; a sheet-metal chamber e2:-

rearwardly from said panel and k said aperture the edges of said mber being; flared outwardly to form a j e covering the oint between said panel the chamber supported thereby, openherg przwided in the side walls of said her irouejh which a suitable frangible 1; her may eely slide; a guide plate secured to the rear side of said panel adjacent to one of said openings so formed as to pro vide a channel in alinement with said openings and'having slot therein extending lengthwise of said channel; a movable part adapted to suitably control signaling); mech anism by movement thereof within said channel subject to the limitations of said slot; means for moving said part in one direction and controlling mechanism mounted adjacent to the other of said openings and manually adjustable for greater movement away from said opening, than the maximum movement of said movable part permitted by said slot.

9. A supporting structure having a chamber extending earwardly therefrom and open toward the front surface thereof; a movable part mounted adjacent to a wall of said chamber and adapted to suitably control signaling mechanism: controlling i'uechanism mounted adjacent to the opposite wall of .aid chamber; openings through the walls of said chamber in. suitable relation to said movable part and said controlling mechanism; respectively; stopping means for limiting the movement of said part away from the opening in the chamber wall adjacent thereto; said controlling mechanism comprising a member adapted to be so set that the nearest portion thereof to the opening through the wall of the chamber adjacent thereto will be separated from said wall by a distance greater than the maximum travel. of said. movable part; the setting of said controlling mechanism to another position serving to position the aforesaid member thereof nearer to the chamber wall adj acent thereto.

10. A supporting structure having a chamber extending rcarwardly therefrom and open toward the front surface thereof; a movable part mounted adjacent to a wall of said chamber and adapted to suitably control signaling mechanism; controlling mechanism mounted adjacent to the opposite wall of said chamber; openings through the walls of said chamber in suitable relation to said movable part and said controlling mechanism, respectively; stopping means for limiting the movement of said part away from the opening in the chamber wall adjacent thereto; said controlling mechanism comprising a member adapted to be so set that the nearest portion thereof to the opening through the Wall of the chamber adj acent thereto will be separated from said wall by a distance greater than the maximum dis tance which said movable part may be moved from the opening in said chan'iber wall adjacent thereto, the setting of said controlling mechanism to another position serving to po sition the aforesaid member thereof nearer to the chamber wall adjacent thereto by a distance greater than the nearest approach of the movable part to the inner side of the chamber wall adjacent thereto.

ll. A cover adapted to form part of an enclosure suitable for containing and protecting signaling mechanism, an inwardly extending depression carried by said cover; openings through walls of said depression substantially parallel with and adjacent to the rear side of said cover and through op posite walls thereof, respectively; a plunger mounted adjacent to one of and for move ment in alinement with said openings; a spring urging said plunger toward such adjacent opening; stopping means for limiting the movement of said plunger away from said opening; and a cam pivoted adjacent to the opening through the other wall of said chamber, said cam being suitably formed for engagement therewith of a suitable operating key, a key-hole for such a key being provided through the cover in suitable relation to such cam; the outline of such cam being so formed as to present a depression in the periphery thereof toward and in close proximity to the opening in the adjacent chamber Wall when said cam is in one position, and so that when said cam is in another position the distance between the periphery thereof and the opening through the chamber wall adjacent thereto will exceed the distance between the plunger and the opening in the chamber wall adjacent thereto when said plunger has been moved to the full extent of 'el :nvay from said wall.

l2. supporting structure having a chamber ex 521 rearwardly therefrom and open towaro the front so lace thereof; a movable part mounted adjacent to a wall of said chamber and adapted to suitably control signalin mehimism; controlling mechan' m mounted ad acent to the opposite wall 0; said chamlvei" Mining's through the walls of said chamber suitable relation to said movable part and aid controlling mechanism, resp vely; stopping means for limiting the movem, t of said part away from the opening in the chamber wall adjacent thereto; said controlling mechanism comprising a member ada iited to be so set that the nearest portion thereof to the opening through the wall of the chamber adjacent thereto will be separated from said wall by a distance greater than the maximum dis tance which said movable part may be moved from the opening in said chamber wall adj acent thereto, the setting of said controlling mechanism to another position serving to position t 1e aforesaid member thereof nearer to the chamber wall adjacent thereto by a greater distance than the nearest approach of said movable part to the chamber wall adjacent thereto; and a frangible member adapted for insertion through the aforesaid openings through said chamber walls, to be held under stress between said movable part and said controlling mechanism member, the length of said frangible member being such as to prevent its withdrawal from either of the openings in the walls of said chamber when the controlling mechanism member is set in the second named position.

12.8., A panel having a suitable aperture theretluough; a sheet-metal chamber covering said aperture and extending rearwardly therefrom; openings in the side walls of said chamber through which a suitable frangible member may freely slide; a guide plate secured to the rear side of said panel adjacent to said chamber, so formed to provide a channel in alinement with said openings, and having a slot therein extending lengthwise of said channel; a plunger contained in said channel, said plunger comprising a sheetmetal strip, the ends of said strip being inclined at right-angles to the remainder thereof, said ends conform ng to the outline of the cross-section of said channel; a lug carried by one of said ends and extending through slot so as to suitably limit the travel of said plunger, said lug being so formed and arranged as to be adapted to suitably control signaling mechanism; a spring urging said plunger toward said chamber: a frangible member disposed in the path of the urged movement of said plunge; and controlling mechanism having means adapted to be set to move said member to actuate said plunger in opposition to said spring, the setting of said mechanism to another position permitting movement of said plunger and member in response to said spring.

H A panel having a suitable apertur'e therethrough; a sheet-metal chamber e:: tending; rearwardly from said. panel and through said aperture the edges of said chamber being flared outwarlly toform a flange covering the joint between said panel and the chamber supported thereby; openings through the side Walls of said chamber through which a frangible element may freely slide; a guide plate secured to the rear side of said panel adjacent to said chamber, so formed as to provide a channel in alinement with said openings, and having a slot therein extending lengthwise of said channel; a plunger contained in said channel; a lug carried by said plunger and extending through said slot so as to suitably limit the travel of? said plunger said lug being so formed and arranged to be adapted to suitably control signaling mechanism; a spring urging said plunger toward said chamber; a frangible element disposed in the path of: the urged movement 01 said plunger; and controlling mechanism having: means adapted to be set to move said element to actuate said plunger in opposition to said spring, the setting of said mechanism to another position. permitting movement et said plunger and element in re sponse to said spring.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 29 day of April, 1919.

THOMAS H. S. CONE. 

